Truck



sept. 2 6, 1944.

vR J.. STODDARD TRUCK Filed Dec. 17, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l rraensv Sept. 26, 1944.

R. J. s'roDDARD TRUCK Filed Dec. 1'7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 26, 1944 Y RobertJ. StoddardfSt. Paul,

Minn., assignor-to `American IIoist.'&'-Derrick0ompany, St. Paul, Minn.; a corporation of Delaware Application December 17, 1941, SerialNo. '423,340 16.Claims. (Cl..`l.05-179) This invention has relation .to a truck, 4and has more especial relation toa cranetruclnsocalled.

An object of the invention lis to provide-atruck which will be of novel and improved construction.

A furtherrobject is to provide a so-called crane truck wherein will be incorporated various improved features and characteristics of construction. which will be novel both as individual entities of the truck and in combinationwitheach other.

A `further object-is to provide a truck which will rinclude as Iparts thereof a vplurality of tele'- scoping entities or v frames `assembled together in novel and improved manner.

A further object is to provide a truck which will include spaced apart'truck frames'one of which may desirably support a truck engine frame, and an equalizing gi-rder frame between and assembled with said spaced apart truck frames in novel and improved manner.

A further Objectis .to provide a truck which will include spaced apart truck frames and an equallzing `girder frame between and telescopicallyand pivotally assembled `with said truck frames.

A further object is to Vprovide acrane truck which will include an equalizing girder frame adapted to support a usual truck center plate, and a plurality of spaced aparttruck frames at either end of said e'qualizing girder frame telescopically and pivotally associated with the -equalizing girder frame in novel `and improved-manner and so that each of said truck frames can have oscillatory movement in a vertical plane relative to said equalizing girderframe, and viceversa.

A further object is to provide a truck ofthe present character which will include wheels to be driven, and a novel and improved construction and arrangement for driving said wheels,

A further object is to provide a truck` which .Willinclude spacedapart `truck frames, anV equalizing girder frame between and assembled with saidspaced apart truck frames insuchmanner fthat there can be relative pivotal -movement between .the equalizing girder frame'and each ofthe truck frames, Wheels upon said vtruckframes adapted to be driven, and a novel and `improved mechanism for drivingsaid wheels. Y" l A further object is toprovide a so-called crane truck `which .will include an equalizing girder frame adaptedto support a usual truck -center plate, .a plurality of spaced `apart truckframes at either end .of the equalizing girder frame telescopically and pivotally assembled with vthe equalizing girder frame so that. there can be relative pivotal movement in a vertical plane between said equalizing girder frame and veachof Asaid truck framesfa-iwheelwupon each truck Viframe adapted to` be driven and a mechanism of unique typefor driving said wheels. Y

Alfurther object is torprovide .in the truck anew and vimproved construction and arrangement for accomplishingadjustment of thetruck wheel drive mechanism.

"Affurther objectistofprovide in thetruck a newandimproved'construction and arrangement, includingV a track clamp, selectively for fastening thei'truck in stationa'ryiposition relativelyto or upon' a ridingrail for said truck and for releasingthe truck from said riding rail formovement therealong.

'And a further "object is .to provide a truck of structure as illustratedI inthe drawings and hereinafter 'explicitly set forth.

-With'the above objects in View, 'as well `as others Which will'appearasthe specii'cationiprocejeds, the invention comprises the construction, arrangement and. combination of parts as now to be"`fully described andas'hereinafter to be eX- plijcitly' claimed, itbeing understoodthat the disclosure herein is merely illustrative and intended ln Lno Way in4 a limiting sense, changes in vdetails of.jconstruction.and arrangement of parts being permissible sov long asfwithin the `spirit of vthe invention and Vthe lscope of thexclaims which follow. l

In vthe accompanying drawings forminga part of Athis specicatio Y Fig.' 1 is a side elevational view`of a truck injcluding the features 4and characteristics of the invention; i

` Eig. 2 isla topplan View. of the truck. of`Fig, l; Fig. V3 is an end elevational view of the .truck `asseenirom the left-in Figs. l and 2;

.Fig..4 is an end elevation'alfview of 'the truck as seen `fromthe right inFigs. -1 and 2; Figs `5 and 5A, together, are an enlarged horizontal longitudinal sectional view. of .the truck, partially in top plan, taken substantially on nline 5-5,in Fig. 1, the engine guard being removed; flFig; 6- is'fa verticallongitudinal sectional view of the '.truck, taken substantially. on line 6 6 in .Figli 3the engine guard being omitted; v'Fig."7 is an enlarged vertical transverse sec- .tionalV View, taken substantially on line I-'Tin Ela-1; f

.Figl Slis a detail sectional vie-w, Vtaken substantially online 8`-.8 in Fig.Y 1;

llfig.` `9 is-adetail sectional View, take'nQsubst'antially onlineB-.SinligL 1; 1 y 'Y "-lig.A 10 is a detail sectional view,` taken ,substantially on line ID-lUin Fig. 1; and

Fig. 11 vis an enlarged fragmentary sectional View; corresponding with the .disclosure rofv Eig. 6,

detailing features of-an engine '-irame supporting and chain adjusting or tensioning:mechanismof thertruck.,

V-llfith-respect tothe-drawingsand the numerals of reference thereon, the truck includes a pair of spaced apart truck frames, denoted I and I6, respectively, each supported by wheels, represented I1. As shown, each truck frame I5, I6 is supported by a pair of wheels I1 arranged in tandem. An equalizing girder frame of the truck,

between the truck frames I5 and I6, is designated I8. A truck engine frame I9 is supported by the truck frame I5. The truck here disclosed is adapted for use as a crane-truck, for supporting one corner of a structure (not shown), and to this end a usual truck center plate 20, carried by the equalizing girder frame I8, is included.

Each truck frame I5, I6 consists of an inverted, elongated U-member having outwardly extending flanges 2 I, 2 II upon the lower margins of its spaced apart legs or side walls 22, 22, opposite its base or upper wall 23. As disclosed the U-member truck irame I5 is constituted as two Z -members welded at the longitudinal line 24 to provide said truck frame I5 with flanges, whereas the U-member truck frame I6 is constituted as a single, or unwelded, piece of metal providing said truck frame I6 with anges. Both truck frames could be constructed after the fashion of either the truck frame I5 or the truck frame I6, or in some other suitable and convenient manner. As disclosed, the U-members of the truck frames I5 and I6 are of equal width. Said truck frames I5 and I6 could be duplicates, but desirably the truck frame I5 may be longer than the truck frame I6.

Each wheel I1 is ilanged, as at 25, to be snugly ridable on a rail 26, shown in Fig. '7, and anv axle 21 for each wheel is suitably and conveniently mounted, as at 28, in the oppositely disposed side walls 22,22 of the U-member constituting the corresponding truck frame, I5 or I6 as the case may be, for the wheel. The axles 21 are, in the instance of each truck frame, spaced apart a distance to cause the wheels I1 carried by said axles to be in desired and predetermined spaced relation to each other. Said wheels I1 span substantially the distance between said side walls 22, 22, bushings 29 are disposed upon the axles 21 within the hubs of the wheels, and reinforcing pads upon said axles, together with flanges 3 I upon said bushings 29, lie snugly between the wheel hubs and the side wall-s 22, 22. The axles 21 are made stationary in their bearings by employment of key bars 32.

Each of the truck frames I5 and I6 may be reinforced in any suitable and convenient fashion. As shown, the truck frames include opposite end walls, each denoted 33, which are perpendicular to and meet the opposite ends of the side and upper walls 22, 22 and 23. l

The equalizing girder frame I8 consists of an inverted, elongated member of substantially U- shape having outwardly extending flanges 34, 34 upon the lower margins of its spaced apart legs or side walls 35, 35, opposite its base or upper rear walls of the opening 38, together with a Vertical reinforcement structure of the equalizing girder frame below said opening 38, limit the ex- .tent to which the truck center plate 20 can oscila single, or unwelded, piece of metal. Or said wall 36, and also having outwardly extending n flanges 31, 31 upon each of its spaced apart legs or sidewalls. The base or upper wall 36 of said equalizing-girder frame I8 slants upwardly from its ends toward its midportion, and at its midportion said basev or upper wall 36 is provided with an opening 38 which `freely receives the lower portion of the truck center plate 26. AA cross pin 39 disposed in the spaced apart legs or side walls 35, 35 of the equalizing girder frame I8 pivotally supports said truck center frame 20 for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said equalizing girder frame, and of the truck. The front and the opposite ends of equalizing girder frame could be fashioned in some other suitable and convenient manner. Reinforcing cross bars 43, 43 are at the ends of the equalizing girder frame I8 adjacent the base or upper wall 36.

The legs or side walls 35, 35 of the equalizing girder frame are spaced farther apart than are the legs or frames I5 and I6, and said truck frames I5 and I6 are separately telescopically and pivotally associated with the equalizing girder frame in such manner that the truck frames lie at opposite sides of and in slightly spaced, adjacent relation to the reinforcement structure 40. That is, the opposite end portions of the equalizing girder frame I8 overlie the adjacent end portions of the truck frames I5 and I6, respectively, in such manner that the side walls 22, 22 of each truck frame are between the side walls 35, 35 of said equalizing girder frame, and pivot pins, designated 44 and 45, secure the frames I5, I8 and I8, I6, respectively, to each other. The construction and arrangement are such that when the truck frames I5 and I6 are assembled with the equalizing girder frame I8 the lower edges of the reinforcing cross bars 43, 43 are in spaced relation to the bases or upper walls 23, 23 of said truck frames I5 and I6, about as disclosed in Fig. 6, to offer no interference to relative swinging movement of the truck frames and said equalizing girder frame, and the construction and arrangement are also desirably such that when said truck frames and the equalizf ing girder frame are assembled, the lower edges of the spaced apart side walls 35, 354 .o'f said equalizing girder frame are disposedat elevation slightly above the lower edges 'of the spaced apart side walls 22, 22 of the truck frames, about as disclosed in Figs. l, 3 and 4. Preferably, the lower edges of all of the side walls 22, 22,122, 22, 35,35 may be substantially horizontal when the truck frames I 5 and I6 and the equalizing girder frame I8 are assembled together'. The -wheels I1 are all of the same size and desirablyproject downwardly to position below the lower edges of Vthe side walls 22, 22. More explicitly, each pivot pin 44, 45 is suitably and conveniently mounted in all of the alining side walls at the location of the pivot pin, as will be very clear fror'nfFigs. 5 and 5A.

Spacing washers 46 upon the pvot pins 44'and 45 c and between the four diierent'sets of adjacent side walls 22, 35 situate the truck Iframes at the transverse center of the 'equalizingg'irder frame,

and said pivot pins 44 and 45 are made stationary in their bearings'by key bars ,41. The pivot pins '44: and 45 are situated adjacent the opposite ends; respectively, of the equalizing girder lframe I8 at the elevation of and in'alinement with the axles 21, and, in the instance of each j of the truck frames i5 and I6, there is a pivotpin, 44 or 45, as the caselmay be, midway between the wheels I1. See Figs. 1, 5, 5A and 6` Y The truck engine frame I9 disposed adjacent side walls 22, 22 of each of the truckv The crank shafts 55, adapted to be driven by said-steam engine 48, are Xed upon a driving shaft 56 for accomplishing propulsion of the truck, and said driving shaft 56 xedly carries a pinion 51 which meshes with a gear 58 fixed-upon a horizontal cross shaft 59 carried by spaced apart uprights 6U, 68 upon the truck engine frame I9. Said horizontal cross shaft 59 ixedly carries a sprocket 6I, and a sprocket chain 62 rides said sprocket 6I. The sprocket chain 62 also rides a sprocket 63 fixed upon a spur pinion 64 suitably and conveniently rotatably mounted upon a cross pin 65 having its opposite ends xed, as by key bars 86, in the side walls 22, 22 of the truck frame I5. The teeth 61 of the spur gear 64 mesh with the teeth of a spur gear 68 fixed upon a spur gear E9, `and said spur gear 69 is suitably and conveniently rotatably mounted upon a cross pin 10 having its oppositerends xed, as at 1I, in' said side walls 22 of said truck frame I5. The teeth 12 of said spur gear 69 are in mesh with the teeth '13 of a spur gear 14 fixed, as at 15, to the wheel I1 or the truck frame I5 which is next adjacent the truck engine frame I9. The spurfgearr14 is in s'urroundingrelation tothe hub of the wheel I1 by which said spur gear Y14 is carried. An idler vgear 'I6 rotatably mounted, as at 11, upon the pivot pin 44 is in mesh with the spur gear 14 and witha's'pur gear 18` xed, as at 19, to the wheel I1 of the" truck frame I5 which is opposite orspaced from said truck engine frame I9. The spur gear 18"isV in surrounding relation to the hub` ofthe corresponding wheel I1. Clearly, the wheels I1 of the truck frame I5 are adapted to be drivenfby the steam engine 48 through the instrumentality 'of'the crank shafts55, the driving shaft 56, the pinion 51,l the gear 58, the horizontalrcross shaft 59, the sprocket 6 I', the chain 62,4the sprocket 63- the spur pinion G4, vthe spur' gear 68, the spur gear 69,l the spur gear'14, the idler gear 1E and the spur'gear'18. Y I l 4 ,y

` 'Mechanism is included for adjustabiy vrmounting or supporting the truck engine frame I9 upon the truck frame lI5 so that the tension of the sprocket chain 62 can bereadily and easily and nicely adjusted to the `purpose that'the drive means for the truck willv be caused to function smoothly and evenly. More explicitly, said trunk engine frame I9 includes spaced apart, oppositely disposed ears 88, 88 at opposite sides thereofl Situated at the lower, inside orrearward corner of the truck engine. frame, the truck frame l5 includes ears 8 I, 8I, including an ear 8I positioned in adjacent relation to eaclrearV 80, andapivot pin 82, located. in all of the ears 8,8,

BI, 8B, 8| and extending across said truck yengine frame, constitutes means for pivotally attaching the truck engine frame I9 to said truck frame I5. The construction and arrangement are such that said truck engine frame overhangs from the truck frame I5, and said mechanism for adjustably mounting or supporting thetruck engine; frame includes'devices formaintaining said truck enginej frame -in substantial horizontal alinement with saidjtruck-frame I5,;aswellfas for causing said sprocket chain 62 to be properly tensioned.

An adjusting screw 83, disposed longitudinally of the truck,-has 'an eye 84 upon one end thereof pivotally supported upon a cross pin 8.5v situated in spaced ears 86 disposed at the transverse center of the forward or -adjacent end of the base or upper wall 23 of the truck frame I5. The construction and "arrangement are such that the-'adjusting screw 83 is mounted upon the cross-pin 85 between the spaced ears 86 for pivotal or swinging movement in a vertical planej'but is fixed against the possibility of turning movement. The spaced uprights 6U, 69, which support the horizontal cross shaft 59, iixedly support, as at 81, an anchor bar 88 which is situated above and in spaced, parallel relation to said horizontal cross shaft 59, at about the elevation of and perpendicular to the adjusting screw 83. Said anchor bar 88 has portions of its opposite sides cut away, as at 89, and the anchor bar is provided with a transverse cylindrical opening 90 which extends from one of the cutaway portions 89 to the other. An adjusting nut 5 9| lincludes a cylindrical reduced end portion 92 thereof situated within and passing snugly through the transverse cylindrical opening in such manner as to cause the cylindricalradjusting nut to be longitudinally alined vwith the adjusting screw 83. An annularshoulder 93 of said adjusting nut 9|, in surrounding relationvto the reduced end portion 92, is adapted to lie against the adjacent surface of the anchor bar 88 surrounding the cylindrical opening y.llILand-a n-ut 94 turned down upon an external thread 95 upon the free end of the reduced portion 92 against the surface of said anchor bar opposite the annular shoulder 93 is for the purpose of retaining said reduced portion 92 within said cylindrical opening 96 and said annular shoulder 93 in engagement with the anchor bar. A lock nut 96 upon the external thread 95 is for insuring the fixed position of the nut 94. The construction and arrangement are such that the adjusting nut 9I is freely rotatable within the cylindrical opening 90, and is, at the same time, fixed against movement transversely of the anchor bar 88. As will be more clear from Figs. 6 and l1, the body of the cylindrical adjusting nut 9I is hollow, as denoted at 91, to freely receive the adjusting screw 83, and the head 98 of said adjusting nut includes an internal thread 99 with which the external thread upon said radjusting screw is engaged. The adjusting screw 83 passes through the whole of the length of the adjusting nut 9I and projects to position beyond the head 98 of said adjusting nut. A lock nut Illupon the free end portion of said adjusting screw 83 and against the head of said adjusting nut 9I is for insuring the set position of the adjusting nut.

It will be evident that by turning movement of the adjusting nut 9| this will be caused to be moved inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be, of the adjusting screw 83, with consequent swinging adjustment in corresponding direction of the truck engine frame I9 about the pivot pin 82 as an axis. Evidently, the overhanging weight of said truck engine frame is supported, through the instrumentality of the anchor bar 88, by the adjusting nut 9i, which adjusting nut is in turn supported by the adjusting screw 83, itself supported' by the 'truck frame I5. Plainly, the Vtension of the sprocket chain 62 will be a function ofthe adjusted position of the truck engine frame I9. With upward swinging adjustmentlof said 62 to be under desired and predetermined tension.

The wheels I1 of the trunk frame I8 are driven from the wheel I1 of the truck-frame I5 to which the spur gear 18 is secured. More explicitly, the bolts 19 which secure said spur gear 18 to one side of the wheel I1 of the truck frame I5 which is spaced from or opposite the truck engine frame I9 also secure a sprocket |0| to the opposite side of this mentioned wheel. A sprocket chain |02,

which rides the sprocket IDI and passes freely k.. through openings in adjacent end walls of the truck frames I5 and I6 and in the reinforcement structure 40 of the equalizing girder frame I8, also rides a-sprocket |03 which is fixed, as at |04, to the wheel I1 of the truck frame I8 which is next adjacent the truck frame I5. A spur gear |05 is secured by the bolts |04 against the surface of this same mentioned wheel I1 opposite the sprocket |03. An idler gear |08 rotatably mounted, as at |01, upon the pivot pin 45 is in mesh with the spur gear |85 and with a spur gear |08 xed, as` at |09, to the wheel I1 of the truck frame I5 which is opposite or spaced from the truck frame I5. Clearly, the wheels I1 of the truck frame I5 are adapted to be driven from the spur gear 18 through the instrumentality of the wheel I1 having said spur gear 18, the sprocket I the sprocket chain |92, the sprocket |03, the spur gear |85, the idler gear |06 and the spur gear |08. Accomplishment of the drive of the wheels i1 of the truck frame I6 from a wheel I1 of the truck frame I5 through the instrumentality of the sprocket chain |02 evidently makes provision whereby there can be relative swinging movement between the equalizing girder frame I8 and said truck frames I5 and I6.

Devices of the truck for adjusting the tension of said sprocket chain |02 include an idler sprocket H0 rotatably mounted, as at III, upon the base II2 of a U-bracket and having its teeth ||3 engaged with the underside of the lower length of the sprocket chain |32, as will be more clear from Figs. 5, 6 and 1. The surface of said base ||2 of the U-bracket opposite the idler sprocket ||0 is held against the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 35 of the equalizing girder frame I8 by small screw members I4, with nuts II thereon, imbedded in the base of the U-bracket and slidably disposed in vertical slots ||6 through said mentioned side wall 35. The construction and arrangement are such that the screw members I|4 and nuts ||5 retain said U-bracket in sliding relation to the inner surface of the side wall of the equalizing girder frame having the U-bracket. The legs |I1 and IIB of said U-bracket extend outwardly. The lower leg |I1 is disposed below and in spaced relation to the lower margin of the equalizing girder frame I8, while the upper leg IIB is slidable in a vertical slot IIQ through the side wall 35 having the U-bracket disposed at elevation above the vertical slots I I6. The U-bracket is adjustable vertically of the equalizing girder frame by means of a vertical take-up rod which has its lower end threaded, as at |2I, in the upper leg ||8 of said U-bracket. The length of said take-up rod |20 is slidably disposed in an end portion of the cross pin 39, as well as in a spacer element |22 rested upon said cross pin, and the externally threaded upper end portion |23 of the take-up rod |20 extends upwardly beyond the spacer element |22. A nut |24 upon the externally threaded upper end portion |23 of said take-up rod |20 and engaged against the upper surface of said spacer element |22 is for the purpose of accomplishing vertical adjustment of the U- bracket, with the idler sprocket IIO, and a lock nut |25 upon the thread |23 and against the nut |24 is for insuring the position of said nut |24. In practice the idler sprocket ||0 will be set at elevation to insure proper tensioning of the sprocket chain |02 designed to permit requisite swinging movement of the frames l5, I8- and IB relatively to each other, Numeral |26 represents a reinforcing element between the legs ||1 andV ||8 of the U-bracket.

A track clamp, represented generally at |21, or a construction and arrangement selectively for fastening the truck invstationary position relative to or upon the rail 26 and for releasing the truck for movement along the rail, is best disclosed in Figs. l, 2, 5, 6 and 7.

A horizontal platform |28, constituted as a. part of the reinforcement structure 40, is situated directly below the truck center plate 20 in considerably spaced relation to said truck center plate and at elevation somewhat above the rail 26. A

V bolt of the track clamp |21 is constituted as an eye |29 and an externally threaded shank |30 integral with the eye. The externally threaded shank |30 is disposed vertically within and passes through an opening |3| in the horizontal platform |28 situated at the midwidth of the equalizing girder frame I8 in spaced relation to vertical walls |32, |32 of the reinforcement structure 40, and the eye |29 is at the lower end of said externally threaded shank |30 and at about the elevation of lower portions of the side Walls 35, Y

of said equalizing girder frame. A bevel pinion |33, threadably engaged with the upper end por- "tion of thevexternally threaded shank |30 and rested upon a washer |34 itself rested upon said horizontal platform |28 in surrounding relation to said externally threaded shank, is in mesh at |35 with a second bevel pinion |36 integral with a shaft |31 rotatably mounted in an elongated bearing |38 constituted as a part of a bracket |39 fixedly supported, as at |40, upon the horizontal platform |28. The elongated bearing |38 retains the second bevel pinion l|36 engaged against the bevel pinion I 33 in such manner as to retain said bevel pinion |33 down against the washer |34, and said bevel pinion |33 engages the second bevel pinion |36 to cause the shaft |31 and said second bevel pinion to be xed against movement longitudinally of the elongated bearing |38. A support for the end portion of said yelongated bearing |38 opposite or spaced from said second bevel pinion |36 is constituted as a strip of metal '|4'I secured at |42 to a side wall 35 of the equalizing girder frame I8. A crank |43 for accomplishing rotation of the second bevel pinion |36 is integral with the shaft |31 and is situated at an outer side of said equalizing girder frame, opposite the U-bracket and the idler sprocket ||0 carried thereby as disclosed, to be readily accessible. The eye |29 supports, as at |44I oppositely disposed track clamp jaws |45, |45 for free are complemental to each other and are adapted to be engaged about the opposite sides of the head of the rail 26. A track clamp link |41 is slidable upon the track clamp jaws |45, |45, and limit Vlugs', |48, |48 upon said track clamp jaws pre- 'clude the possibility of accidental removal of the link |41 from the J'aws.

In practice, the track clamp jaws |45, |45 are placed upon the head of the rail 26 in about the manner as disclosed in Fig. 7 when it is the intention to fasten the truck to said rail, and the crank |43 is rotated in direction to cause the eye bolt to be elevated, thus to cause the hook portions |46, I 46 of said clamp jaws to be pulled or forced up tight against the opposite sides and lower surfaces of the rail head. When the track clamp is secured upon said rail 26, the link |41 rests upon thertop of the rail, asin said Fig. '1, in snug surrounding relation to intermediate portions of the clamp jaws |45, |45 just above the hook portions |46, |46, thus to insure the posi- 'tions of said clamp jaws upon said rail. When the truck is to be released from the rail, the track clamp link |41 is lifted from its position as in Fig. 7 to released condition of the track clamp jaws |45, |45, ysaid clamp jaws are swung outwardly away from each other to be clear of the head of said rail, and the crank |43 is rotated in direction to cause the eye bolt to be lifted to position causing the jaws |45, |45, with the link 41, to be situated above ,the elevation of, and thus clear of, the rail 26. That is, when the truck is in transit, the track clamp is, lin its entirety, positioned above the elevation of the traveling rail, about as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 6.

The pivot pins 44 and 45 separately connect the truck frames I5 and I6, respectively, to the equalizing girder frame I8, and, save for the connection between said truck frames I5 and I6 vthrough the medium of said equalizing girder frame I8 and said pivot pins 44 and 45, the truck frames are independent of each other. Provision is included for equalizing action between the girder frame I8 and each of the truck frames I5 and I6, and, hence, provision is also included for equalizing action between said truck frames I5 and I 6 themselves. The equalizing girder frame 1s telescoped with the truck frames, and said truck frames lie in adjacent relation to each other. Accomplishment of the drive of the wheels I1 upon-the truck frame I6 from awheel I1 upon the truck frame |75 through the medium of the sprocket chain |02 evidently will not cause interference with or hindrance of the equalizing action.

What is claimed is:

` 1. A truck comprising spaced apartv truck frames each consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames 'in spaced relation to each other,

supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equali'zing girder frame consisting of `an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between said truck frames intelescoping relation thereto, and `means mounted at spaced apart locations in the side lwalls of the equalizing girder frame and in the side walls of veach truck frame at location intermediate and at the elevation of' its axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction.

2. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side Walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, axlesV mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relationV to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between said truck frames in telescoping relation thereto, means mounted at spaced apart locations in the side walls of the equalizing girder Yframe and in the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, a center plate, and means pivotally supporting said center plate upon the spaced apart side walls of said equalizing girder frame for swinging movement of the center plate in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said truck.

3. A truck comprising spaced apart truck Vframes each consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames Yin spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, a supporting frame carried by one of said truck frames, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and vspaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between said truck frames in telescop- Ying relation thereto, and means mounted at spaced apart locations in the side walls of the equalizing'girder frame and in the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction.

4. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper Wall and spaced apart., downwardly extending side walls substantially*perpendicular to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between said truck frames in telescoping relation thereto,V means mounted at spaced apart locations in the side walls of the equalizing girder fr-ame and in the side walls of each truck frame atlocationintermediate its axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame Vupon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame for limited swinging movement of the center plate in a vertical plane extending longitudinally o1" said truck.

5. A truck comprising an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls; a plurality or truck frames in adjacent relation to each other including a truck frame having side walls at either end of said equalizing girder frame telescopically associated with the equalizing girder frame, axles sup-ported by each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, means mounted at spaced apart locations of the spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of said equalizing girder frame and in the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, a prime mover, and a exible driving connection between said prime mover and one of said supported wheels.

6. A truck comp-rising an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls; a plurality of truck frames in adjacent relation to each other including a truck frame having side walls at either end of said equalizing girder Vframe telescopically associated with the equalizing girder frame, axles supported by each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axlesy means mounted at spaced apart locations of the spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of said equalizing girder frame and in the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axes pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, a sup'- porting frame carried by and overhanging from one of said truck frames, a prime mover carried by said supporting frame, a ilexible driving connection between said prime mover and a supporting wheel upon the truck frame from which said prime mover overhangs, and mechanism for adjusting said supporting frame relative to the truck frame by which carried to cause the tension of said flexible driving connection to be altered.

'7. A truck comprising an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart downwardly extending side walls; a plurality of truck frames in adjacent relation to each other including a truck frame having side walls at either end of said equalizing girder frame telescopically associated with the equalizing girder frame, axles supported by each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, means mounted at spaced apart locations ofthe spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of said equalizing girder frame and in the side walls of each ltruck frame at Vlocation intermediatelits axles pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames foi-,swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, means for driving a supporting wheel upon one of said truck frames, and a ilexible driving connection between a drivenV supporting wheel upon one Of apart, downwardly extending side Wal1s;-a plurality of truck frames in adjacent relation to each other including a truck frame having side walls at either end of said equalizing girder frame telescopicallyvassociated with the equalizing girder frame, axles supported by each of'said truck frames in spacedrelation to each other,

supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, means mounted'at ,truck frames for swinging' movementgof the center plate upon the spaced apart side equalizinggirder vframe and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, means for driving a supporting wheel upon one of said truck frames, a flexible driving connection between a driven-supporting wheel upon one of said truck frames and a supporting wheel to be driven upon the other of said truck frames, and means [for adjustably ,tensioning saidV flexible driving connection. l Y

9. A truck j comprising spaced` apart truck `frames each consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially'perpendicular to said upper'wall, axles-mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting Wheels spaced longitudinally along the vtruck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially .perpendicular to saidupper -wall disposed between said truck frames in telescoping relation thereto so that portions -of the -upper walls and of the spaced apart side walls of said truck frames and said equalizing girder frame, respectively, overlap each other, and means mounted in overlapping portions of the side walls of the equalizing girder frame and each truck frame, respectively, at location intermediate the axles of said truck frames pivotally supporting said `equalizingv girder frame upon the truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and said truck frames relatively to each other in vertical-direction.

10i. The combination as specied in claim 9, a center plate, and means pivotally supporting said walls of said equalizing girder frame.

11. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper Wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side Walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall. axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder each other in vertical direction, a track clamp selectively for fastening said truck in stationary position upon a riding rail for the truck and for releasing said truck from said riding rail, and means adjustably supporting said track clamp upon said equalizing girder frame at location between said truck frames.

12. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side Walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between said truck frames in telescoping relation thereto, and means mounted at spaced apart locations in portions of the side walls of the equalizing girder frame and in portions of the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axles and in telescoping relation to said equalizing girder frame pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction.

13. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper wall kand spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side Walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper wall disposed between the truck frames with each of the opposite end portions of its upper Wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls in telescoping relation to an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of one of said truck frames, and means mounted at spaced apart locations in portions of the side walls of the equalizing girder frame and in portions of the side walls of each truck frame at location intermediate its axles and telescoped with said side Walls of the equalizing girder frame pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon said truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction.

14. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each consisting of an upper Wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicularw to said upper wall, axles mounted in the side walls of each of said truck frames in spaced relation to each other, supporting wheels spaced longitudinally along the truck carried by said axles, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls substantially perpendicular to said upper Wall disposed between said truck frames in telescoping relation thereto so that portions of the upper Walls and of the spaced apart side walls of said truck frames and of said equalizing girder frame, respectively, overlap each other, and means mounted in overlapping portions of the side walls of the equalizing girder frame and each truck frame, respectively, at location intermediate the axles of said truck frames pivotally supporting said equalizing girder frame upon the truck frames for swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and said truck frames relatively to each other in vertical direction, said means being constituted as pivot pins each having opposite end portions thereof situated in the side walls of said equalizing girder frame and intermediate portions thereof, between said opposite end portions, situated in the side walls of one of said truck frames.

15. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each including spaced apart side walls, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls between said truck frames and having its side walls telescoped with the truck frames, means pivotally supporting opposite end portions of the spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of said girder frame upon intermediate, overlapped portions of the side walls of said truck frames, respectively, for relative swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames in vertical direction, arid supporting wheels upon each of said truck frames disposed at opposite sides of said pivotally supporting means, said pivotally supporting means being constituted asv pivot pins each having opposite end portions thereof situated in the side walls of said equalizing girder frame and intermediate portions thereof situated in the side Walls of one of said truck frames.

16. A truck comprising spaced apart truck frames each including spaced apart side walls, an equalizing girder frame consisting of an upper wall and spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls between said truck frames and having its side Walls telescoped with the truck frames, means pivotally supporting opposite end portions of the spaced apart, downwardly extending side walls of said girder frame upon intermediate, overlapped portions of the side walls of said truck frames, respectively, for relative swinging movement of the equalizing girder frame and the truck frames in vertical direction, supporting wheels upon each of said truck frames disposed at opposite sides of said pivotally supporting means, means for driving a supporting wheel upon one of said truck frames, a flexible driving connection between a driven supporting wheel upon one of said truck frames and a supporting wheel to be driven upon the other of said truck frames, and means adjustably supported by said equalizing girder frame for varying the tension of said flexible driving connection.

ROBERT J STODDARD. 

